Former coach John Kosmina has accused the A-League of disrespecting Australia’s second-tier competition and being obsessed with overseas players.
The former Adelaide United and Sydney FC coach, speaking at the launch of the second edition of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) on Tuesday, said that while the game had seen tremendous growth at the top level, the state-based leagues had suffered.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) last year kicked off the inaugural NPL competition in which, for the first time, all participating state and territory federations were made to operate under uniform guidelines and criteria.
While last season only five federations took part, this season will be a nationwide competition with Victoria and Western Australia on board.
The NPL was a result of the FFA’s review into the development pathways of the game and Kosmina said A-League coaches should be paying more attention the the talent in state-based leagues when they look to recruit.
He said the likes of Glen Trifiro, who just signed a loan deal with defending A-League champions Central Coast from NPL side Sydney United, was proof of that.
“I think the A-League since its inception, as much as it has been great for the game at the top level, at times has almost disrespected the local competitions,” he said.
“It’s been an us and them mentality and I know coaches have basically ignored the players in that second tier.
“The fact is there are good players in those local competitions all around Australia.
“There are players good enough there to play in the A-League if they’re given the opportunity.
“The A-League, for all its strength, I think one of its weaknesses is its obsession with overseas players.
“There are some good local players out there.”
Kosmina, who has 60 Socceroos caps under his belt, said if the NPL was used as a proper development pathway, he could see a time when Australian players would be able to ply their trade at home rather than overseas in search of a national call-up.
“I think the days of us having numbers and numbers of players playing in the top competitions oversees are numbered,” he said.
“Soon we’ll be spitting out Socceroos that are coming through the A-League and through our system rather than having to go oversees to develop and come back.”
FFA boss David Gallop said when it came time to expand the A-League, they would look at the NPL clubs to possibly be involved.
But as for a promotion-relegation system, Kosmina feels money will be the main deterrent.
“It comes down to money – it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“If you’re going to have a national second division, who’s going to pay for flights?
“The A-League clubs struggle for money … So unless you can find another 14 billion, we’re a long way from it but hopefully we’ll get there.”
Barca4life
Guest
@Tezza i disagree mate, every Australian club is not just a normal club for there own means but also a pathway for our juniors to shine and get opportunities to play at the highest level and hopefully it prepares them well enough for a overseas move. Winning silverware is a normal objective but they also have a duty to look after and prepare our next generation of footballers but male and female. Why doesn't every A-League club have a youth academy by now is beyond me as ridiculous. Frank Lowy said at the launch of the A-League in Season 1 that one of the objectives of having a new professional league was to benefit the national team, it seems not many clubs have promised to fulfil this mission sadly.
tezza
Guest
So Kossie, how many "local" players did you have playing for you when you had your stints at Sydney and Adelaide? The A-league is about winning titles(the same as the EPL, LA LIGA etc) so the clubs and SPONSORS want the best players available to acheive that. So until our players are all up to the calibre of imports or others then that`s how it will be. Perhaps you should dedicate some of your coaching time to local grassroots clubs?
bill boomer
Guest
ignoring locals? just ignore Kossie, please
Franko
Guest
Sad to see Enfield go, 68 year old club. Their pitch was one of the only ones that ran East-West though, so was a nightmare to play on early or late in the day.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Kossie is probably just posturing for another coaching job somewhere I reckon
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Adelaide United tried to have the NYL side play in the state league via Enfield (who were on the verge of bankrupcy and needed a bailout) but it was blocked by the FFSA and the other NPL clubs (who then watched Enfield go bankrupt and opted to play in a reduced competition instead). Indeed there has been times when the A-League has been disrespectful, however as the Enfield example showed, it isn't all one-way traffic.
mahonjt
Guest
I saw that interview. I don't agree as the evidence is that there are heaps of former State League players in the A-League. Could there be more? Maybe? If they are good enough. The bottom line is that A-League clubs have a clear interest in improving their scouting, locally, nationally and internationally. By and large they have been doing so.